Question & AnswerQ&A (BFAR ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 252, S. 2014)
The Circular covers all Philippine-flagged fishing vessels, regardless of type, engaged in distant water fishing, which includes fishing in high seas, areas managed by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), and waters of other Coastal States.
The vessel must have a valid Commercial Fishing Vessel License, be registered with the RFMO or Coastal State, comply with MARINA and other agency requirements, secure an International Fishing Permit (IFP) and/or Special Fishing Permit (SFP) from BFAR, and the owner must provide fishing access conditions to BFAR.
ALC stands for Automatic Location Communicator or Mobile Tracking Transceiver Unit, an approved automatic tracking device using satellite navigation and communication systems to transmit information on vessel position, fishing activities, and other required activities.
This is considered a serious violation and is penalized with a fine equivalent to five times the value of the catch or fines ranging from ₱250,000 to ₱3,000,000 depending on the scale of commercial fishing.
All catcher vessels must have fisheries observer coverage accredited by the RFMO governing the fishing area, and observers must be deployed through the Philippine Fisheries Observer Program.
The vessel’s master must notify BFAR of entry 24 hours prior with vessel ID, location, date, and time, and notify six hours prior to exit with the same details in the prescribed format.
Landings must be done only in authorized fish ports controlled by PFDA or GHP-compliant private wharves, in the presence of a Fish Inspector verifying fish weight, and BFAR coordinates monitoring with PFDA and PCG to ensure traceability.
Deployment of FADs in excess of forty is prohibited and penalized with ₱50,000 fine per excess FAD and confiscation of the excess devices.
The IUUF List is a list of fishing vessels and Philippine nationals found to have engaged or supported Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. Committing three prohibited acts under this Circular results in inclusion in the IUUF list.
Documents include Transshipment Certificates, Landing Declarations duly attested by competent authorities, and Captain/Mate’s Certificates for group seining operations monitored by BFAR.